Head Coach Bubba Schweigert recently announced that current linebackers coach Brett Holinka will be elevated to the defensive coordinator position.
We had speculated last week that UND would look in-house for their new DC and that turned out to be the case.
Holinka came to UND after a one-year stint as defensive coordinator at U of Mary in 2018. His resume shows defensive coaching experience at St. Thomas, Rutgers, and Winona State. In 2019, Holinka coached outside linebackers for the Hawks. During his playing days for UND (2005-2008), Holinka was an inside linebacker in the same 3-4 scheme that is run today.
We were able to catch up with Brett on Monday between sessions down at the AFCA Convention in Nashville. Here are some takeaways from the conversation:
- UND will continue to run the same 3-4 scheme they ran under Eric Schmidt.
- As they prep for spring ball, Holinka stated the staff will evaluate what they run best and try to focus on that, essentially eliminating calls/packages that may not have been executed at a high level.
- Being it’s Holinka’s first year as DC, we could see him scaling back the overall defensive package for the players benefit, as well as his own. Get good at a few things vs. decent at many.
- The defense will continue to be pressure-based from all angles.
- UND will more than likely continue to twist/stunt up front as they have in the past with defensive lineman that can move.
- The new hire will be a defensive line coach for sure – Holinka and Carl Reinholz will stay with the linebackers. They opened the job today and it needs to stay open for 10 days by law.
- Holinka was very high on the freshman defensive lineman that are going to be counted on heavily next fall.
We will have more on potential defensive line coach candidates in the very near future. We listed a couple names already in Austin Flyger and Austin Dickinson. Schweigert will undoubtedly get a bunch of applicants for the job to go along with the contacts that are being made down at the convention this week.
Talk about SU moving up to FBS on SS. Maybe this is the case. If SU wanted to be in the Mid American or the Mountain West they would already be there.
First choice that makes sense is to be in the same conference there wrestling team is in. The Big 12. Dean Bresciani is from the Big 12. Kansas State all SU guys.
I believe SU is working very hard behind the scenes to make the Big 12 a reality. Power5 is where’s at and they know it. The program may take a step back if not in the power 5 and that is a concern.
Lack of funds or money is not a concern as some who post say it is. The money will be there is the Big 12 Presidents vote them in.
Ask yourself this question. Why would they vote them in?
Reading more on SS bison73 commented on a post saying SU wanting the Mountain West. We do? Manbe Lakes does but not the rest of us. There you have it. They all know what Governor Burgun wants.
The big time for his beloved NDSU and Fargo. Doug Bergum wants power 5 football and in the Big12 is where he wants SU.
This is the biggest passion he has ever had for anything in his life. There is little talk on Bisonville about Bergum. There praying he comes thru.
Just one posters opinion.
SiouxVolley gives some common sense reasons why NDSU doesn’t meet the qualifications to enter the Big 12. Like academics, research, market, enrollment. Historically he would be correct they would never be considered.
Not normal times